HENDERSON (KTNV) – We learn more today about the food fight in Henderson that is leaving some members of our community behind.
I first brought this story to light in June when a local pastor contacted me to raise the alarm about a food distribution center that was no longer receiving food supplies.
What happened? Here’s what I found out when I first learned of the closure in June:
Our Saviors Lutheran Church food distribution has been closed
Michael Bristow is one of the Henderson residents now struggling to find food services elsewhere after the Our Saviors Lutheran Church food pantry closed.
“There’s no food at my house,” Bristow told me. “It’s very difficult.”
Bristow uses a wheelchair and tells me that he has had a very difficult time since the pantry closed in May, especially because he has limited mobility.
“It was perfect,” he said. “I live just a block and a half down the street.”
When Ed Bruning, pastor of Our Saviors Lutheran Church, first told me this story, I asked him why the church could no longer operate its food bank.
“You ask why, and I don’t really know the answer,” Bruning told me.
Food for the pantry was supplied by Three Square, the largest hunger relief organization in Southern Nevada. went to them to find out what had happened.
“Were there any violations on the part of this particular food bank that contributed to this decision?” I asked Lisa Segler, Three Square’s chief strategy officer.
“Yes, and that’s where we draw the line,” said Segler. “There have been violations and we have to make sure that the food is safe.”
But Pastor Bruning tells me that this is not the caseHe says any questionable food they received was thrown away before it ever reached the public.
“We had never heard of any food or safety violations until we saw it on television,” Bruning told me.
He also says that even though he had met all of Three Square’s requirements, his pantry was still closed.
“They claim there was no valid reason why their food distribution was closed,” I told the President and CEO of Three Square Beth Martino. “What do you say to that?”
“Well, we worked with Our Saviors Lutheran for many months on a number of things that ultimately remained unresolved,” Martino told me.
I asked Martino to elaborate to some of the food safety concerns that led to the closure.
“We generally make sure that food is kept at safe temperatures and in safe storage. We also have to make sure that pest control and things like that meet the standards set out in our partner agreement,” Martino said.
I asked Three Square for a copy of this affiliate agreement, but my request was denied. The nonprofit told me:The detailed interview, statements and information from Three Square summarize our view of the situation.”
If you’re wondering what the food inspection process is like in cases like this, I had the same experience. So I called the Southern Nevada Department of Health and here’s what I found out.
Nevada law defines a gastronomic establishment as any place where food is regularly prepared or sold. However, There are exceptions – including charities that occasionally distribute food.
Our Saviors Lutheran Church’s food bank falls under this exception. Because it is a nonprofit organization that does not regularly sell food to the public, it is not classified as a food establishment—which means itThey may not be subject to the same food safety inspections as regular food businesses.
In the absence of food distribution At Our Saviors Lutheran Church, Martino tells me that Three Square has directed residents like Bristow to other food sources. Still, for someone with Bristow’s limited mobility, it was a difficult challenge to overcome.
“Who would have expected that?” he said. “It was very stressful. I mean, more than stressful.”
